Belt buckle



1952 v. TELLES 2,607,975

BELT BUCKLE- Filed June 28, 1950 INVEN TOR. VINCENT TELLES Byw gzgw ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 26, 1952 BELT BUCKLE Vincent Telles, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor of onehalf to Peter Aloi and Raymond G. Romano,

Kings County, N. Y.

Application June 28, 1950, Serial No. 170,740

12 Claims. 1

The present inventionin general concerns a belt buckle. It relates particularly to a form of slide buckle having a unique and novel latching feature. The latching feature here not only serves to secure a belt to the buckle but also provides an attractive ornament for the wearer. The buckle in combination with a belt finds a definite use with wearing apparel, particularly in the support of mens trousers.

The buckle has a distinct advantage in that when used it is completely hidden by the belt except for an ornate button or stud. This button or stud is the head of a latch pin, and is a part of the latching feature of the buckle. It may be fashioned in a wide variety of styles and designs, and it may be made to match with the tie clasp, buttons, cuff links, or other articles of dress. The button further adds to the style of the wearer by an attractive chain to which it is suspended from the buckle.

In general, the buckle is provided with a sleeve in which is contained a slidable plate. The slidable plate together with the sleeve and a headed latch pin form the buckle. One end of a belt is attachable to the slidable plate, while the other end of the belt is securable upon a holed stud of the sleeve. The headed latch pin is insertable into the sleeve through the holed stud, and may be latched in position by moving the slidable plate into engagement with a slot in the pin or prong portion of the latch pin. When the latch pin is in locked position the head or button of the pin holds the belt in place on the sleeve stud.

The primary object of the invention is a belt buckle having a latching feature that permits the buckle to be completely hidden by thebelt except for an ornate button that may be matched in style with other articles of the wearers dress.

Another object of this invention is a belt buckle that is suitable for apparel wear, particularly in the support of mens trousers, and which when used is concealed from view except for a separable latching stud pin that may assume a variety of styles and designs.

A further object of the invention is a combined belt and buckle wherein the belt is secured to the buckle by means of a headed prong in conjunction with a plate slidable in the buckle.

A still further object of the invention is a separable ornate button or stud pinthat will serve as a means of latching a belt to a buckle, and which may be matched in style with other dress articles of the wearer.

The foregoing objects and advantages, as well as others, will become readily apparent as this specification unfolds in greater detail, and as it is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention is embodied.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view showing how the buckle is concealed from view except for the latch pin feature when the buckle is fully assembled with a belt. I

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1. V

Fig. 4 is a front elevation view of the buckle without the belt and latch pin, and with the slide plate and sleeve aligned in unlocked position.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the buckle without the belt and in locked position.

i Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of an end of the belt secured to the slide plate.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the buckle sleeve.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the slide plate.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the sleeve directed to the latch pin and chain clasp.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail showing the latch pin in unlatched position.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail showing the latch pin in latched position.

Describing the invention in further detail, there'isdisclosed a buckle comprising a sleeve I, a plate 2 slidable in the sleeve, and a headed latch pin 3. The slidable plate is provided with a pair of shoulders 4 at one end and with a similar pair 5 at the other end. The shoulders 4 and 5 serve to limit the extent of movement of the slide plate within the sleeve in either direction.

In one end of the slide plate is an enlarged opening 6 which serves as a means ofsecuring one end of a belt to the buckle. In the drawings, Figs. 1-3 and 6, there is shown a belt 1 removably secured at one end in the opening 6 by means of a pair of snap buttons 8. The snap buttons also serve to secure between them a conventional belt loop 9.

The free end or tongue portion HI- of the belt has a series of conventional prong holes H. By means of these holes the size of the beltin conjunction with the buckle may be adjusted to the waist of the wearer.

To enable this adjustment and to secure the belt in its adjusted position there is contained on the outer surface of the sleeve 1 a stud or protrusion I2. the center of the sleeve, and the raised distance of the stud from the sleeve is equal substantially to the thickness of the belt with which it is to This stud is located preferably at 7 through the inner wall I! of the sleeve.

3 be used. The stud I2 is adapted to be received in any selected hole H contained in the tongue section of the belt. Suitable means is provided to secure the belt in its adjusted hole position on the stud I2. To this end stud I2 has a bore or hole I4 which extends through the stud and the outer Wall I5 of sleeve 5. The stud hole It is in alignment with a hole It of similar diameter The inner wall is so called because it is that wall which contacts the wearer when the buckle is being used. A slot hole 58 contained in slideplate 2 is also alignable with the holes containe in the sleeve and stud.

When these several holes are in alignment, a-

prong IQ of the headed latch pin is adapted to be inserted through the several holes of the sleeve stud, slide plate, and sleeve. Prong 19 has in its lower end a lateral slot2il. This prong may be latched in the sleeve of --the buckle by moving the slide plate 2 into engagement with slot 26, as particularly appears in Figs. 3 and 11.

It is to be noted that an end" of the belt is attached to the slide plate in the opening 6, while the other end attaches by a hole I'I over the sleeve stud I2. In this arrangement-and with the belt in its adjusted hole position about the wearer, outward pressure created by the midsection of the wearer tends to exert a pullin opposited-irections on the sleeve" and slide plateJ.

By sliding the plate 2 out of engagement with the prong slot 26, the prong becomes unlatched and may be removed from the, sleeve, and if desired, the belt may be removed or readjusted to another hole position. Fig. '10 shows the prong disengaged from the slide plate.

To facilitate and to make certain of the proper alignment of the slot hole I8 contained in the slide plate with the holes of the sleeve I and stud I2, so as to permit a free and ready insertion of the prong I9 through theseveral elements, the slide plate has a pair of limiting shoulders 5. When the slide plate 2 is drawn fully to the left as in Fig. 4 with the shoulders 5 abutting against the side edges 2| of the sleeve member, the several holes the sleeve and slide plate are in full alignment so as to allow a. free and easy insertion 4 of the latch prong I9.

In the latching operation it is necessary that the prong slot 20 be in the. path of the slide plate, and not abov'e or below it. So as to make certain of this, thesleeve is substantially fiat, and the size of the sleeve opening'ZZ is substantially the dimensions of the thickness andwidth of portion 23 of the slide plate 2. The relation of the sleeve opening 22' to theslide plate is such as to allow only a longitudinal movement of the slide plate when inserted in the sleeve face in'the proper direction so that the slide plate 2 may move into it. To insure the directional position of the prong slot in the stud I2, a suitable guide is provided 4 for this purpose. In the present embodiment of the invention a notch 33 is contained in stud I2. Into this notch a key lug or ear 32 on prong I3 is adapted to engage. When the ear 32 is contained in notch 33 the prong slot 20 not only faces in the proper direction for engagement with slide plate 2, but it also is prevented from turning axially from that direction; T

It will be noted that the buckle sleeve I and the slide plate 2 have a slightly arcuate or crescent shape. This slight curving is desirable to conform the buckle to the waistline of the body. It is further desirable in that the slightly curved direction in which the slide plate must move in the buckle sleeve tends to eliminate any loose longitudinal movement of the slide plate and further secures the latched position of the latch pin in the buckle.

The several members of the buckle are preferably fashioned of metal. While the sleeve stud I2 is an integral part of the sleeve I, it may be a separable part threaded to the sleeve. Where the other parts of the buckleare of a soft-metal, such as gold or silver, the sleeve stud I2 and slidin plate 2 may be made of a harder metal because of the extensive wear to which theseparts are subjected. Where the stud .12 is fashioned of metal different from that of the sleeve; it may be a separable part threaded to the sleeve, .01 se-' cured in some other suitable manner such'as by welding or force fitting. Q

The design given to the latch pin head 24in the drawings is only for purposes of illustration. The head or button 24 may be given any decorative design or finish. It may be designed. as previously mentioned to match cuff links, the tie clasp, or finger ring of the wearer; It may also simulate the insignia ofa school club. or other group, or bear the initials of the wearer. It may also be jeweled and otherwise made attractive.

An advantage of the latch pin is that it is separable from the buckle, and may be sold as a separate member in a variety of styles and designs. To protect it from possible loss, it is suspended by a chain 2I from a ring 26 secured to the latch pin head 24. The chain attaches by a ring and clasp; 28'to a flanged ring hole member 29 on the sleeve I. The chain also may assume a variety of styles and designs, and as such, attractively add to the dress of the wearer.

The buckle when fully assembled with the belt in adjusted position appears as in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In Fig, 1 representing a front elevation view of the combined belt and buckle as it appears on the wearer, it is to be noted that the buckle is completely concealed from view except for the latch pin head 24 and its associated chain 21.

Looking at the side view in Fig. 2, the tongue portion ll) of the belt passes through the belt loop 9 and overlaps the otherend 30 of the belt." To prevent any unsightly bulging of the belt at this point of overlapping, the end 3I of slide plate 2 in which belt end 30 attaches, is flanged inward. This permits the belt ends to overlap at this point without any bulge and to present a smooth appearance. j I

While I have described what I consider to be a highly desirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that some changes in form could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,- and Itherefore do not limit myself to the form shown and, described, nor to anything less than the whole of my invention as herein set forth and as "hereinafter claimed, and it is my intention to claim allthat may reasonably be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 1

I claim:

1. For a belt having a succession of adjusting holes therein, a buckle comprising a sleeve member, a plate slidable in said sleeve member, means on the slidable plate for securing one end of the belt thereto, a stud on the sleeve member engageable with any one of the belt adjusting holes, said sleeve and stud members having holes therethrough in alignment with one another, the slidable plate member having a hole therethrough alignable with the said sleeve and stud holes, and a separable prong member having a head, said prong member being insertable in said stud, slide plate and sleeve holes when said holes are in alignment, and the prong member having a slot adapted to be engaged by th slide plate whereby said prong member becomes latched in said sleeve and slide members and the head of the prong member secures the belt on the said stud when the stud is engaged with a hole of said belt.

2. A buckle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slide member is provided with a pair of shoulders for limiting the extent of movement of the slide member in the sleeve, for insuring the alignment of the holes of the stud, sleeve and plate with one another to enable free penetration therethrough of the prong member.

3. A buckle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slide member and sleeve member are slightly arcuate, and the movement of the slide member in the sleeve is only in a lateral direction without unnecessary play.

4. A buckle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stud member is integral with said sleeve and the extent of its distance from the surface of the sleeve member is substantially equal to the thickness of the belt member,

5. A buckle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said headed prong member is separable from the buckle and is suspended from the sleeve member by means of a clasp and chain.

6. A buckle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slidable plate member is provided at one end with an inwardly bent flange section, said flange section having an enlarged opening for securing thereto one end of said belt in such manner that the surface of said belt is aligned with that of the slide member.

'7. A buckle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the width of the belt and buckle is such that the buckle is completely concealed from view except for the head of the prong member.

8. A buckle for a belt having a succession of adjusting holes in its free end, comprising a rectangular sleeve member having front and rear Walls narrowly spaced from one another and a hole through both of said walls, a plate laterally slidable between said walls, means at one end of the plate for securing thereto the othe end of th belt, a stud on the outer surface of the front wall of the sleeve and having a hole therethrough in alignment with the holes through the front and rear sleeve walls, the stud being engageable with any one of the adjusting holes of the belt, the slidable plate having a hole therethrough alignable with the holes of the sleeve Walls and stud, a separable prong member having a head at one end, the prong member being insertable through said stud, sleeve walls and plate holes when the holes are in aligmnent with one another, the prong member having a slot adapted to be engaged by the plate whereby the prong member becomes latched infthe walls iofjthe sleeve and the head of the prong member abuts against the outer surface of. the'belt when the belt is engaged by one of its holes on the stud, and a pair of shoulders at opposed ends of the plate abuttable against the opposed ends of the sleeve whereby the plate is retained in the sleeve and is limited in the extent of its lateral movement, the shoulders at one end of the plate serving to limit the extent of lateral movement of the plate whereby the alignment of the holes of the plate, sleeve walls and the stud with'one another is assured.

9. A buckle as set forth in claim 8 wherein the width of the buckle is no greater than that of the belt whereby the buckle with the exception of the prong head is completely concealed from view.

10. In a buckle of the character set forth for a belt having a succession of adjusting holes, a sleeve, a plate transversely slidable in the sleeve, the plate and sleeve having holes therethrough alignable with one another, a stud member, on the outer surface of the sleeve and having a hole aligned with the holes of the sleeve, a latching member having a prong adapted to be inserted through the holes of the stud, sleeve and plate and a sl0t transversely of the prong engageable by the plate when the plate is moved in the direction of the slot whereby the plate and prong become latched to one another within the sleeve, the stud being adapted for engagement with any one of the adjusting holes of the belt, a head on the prong serving to abut against the surface of the belt and secure it upon the stud when the prong is latched to the plate, an ear on the prong below the head of the prong, and the stud having a slot engageable by the ear whereby the directional position of the prong slot for proper engagement therewith by the plate is at all times assured.

11. In a buckle of the character described including a sleeve member and a plate slidable laterally within the sleeve member, the plate and sleeve member having holes alignable with one another, the combination of a stud integral with the sleeve member and having a hole in alignment with the holes of the sleeve member and having a slot in its free end, and a latching member including a prong adapted to be received through the holes of the stud, sleeve member and plate, a head on the prong abuttable against the stud to limit the extent of penetration of the prong through the holes of the stud, sleeve and plate whereby a slot in the prong becomes engageable with the plate upon movement of the plate in the direction of the slot, and a lug below the head of the prong engageable with the slot of the stud whereby the directional positions of the prong slot and head are at all times assured.

12. In a buckle of the character set forth including a sleeve and a plate slidable within the sleeve, the sleeve and plate member having holes alignable with one another, latching means comprising a stud on the surface of the sleeve, having a hole alignable with the holes of the sleeve and plate member, and a prong member adapted for insertion in the holes of the stud, sleeve and plate member when these are aligned with one another, the prong member having a slot engageable by the plate member when the plate is slid in one direction and disengageable from the plate when the plate is slid in the opposite direction, a head on the prong member abuttable against the stud and serving to limit the extent of penetration of the prong member through the said holes, and a lug on the prong member coop- Number erable with slqtmeans on the stud for guiding the Number directional positiqnof the; slot of the prong for 1,206,290 engagement with the plate member. 2,054,840

I J VINC EL E 2,405,271

7 5 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Number m cum patent: UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Name Date 903,554 Fasig Nov. 10, 1908 Name Date Barker Nov. 28, 1916 Statham Sept. 22, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France May '7, 1934 Norway Jan. 20, 1941 

